This article was originally published in 2015 and has been completely updated in 2020.
With so many digital tools now available to communicators, we are tempted to constantly seek new ways to communicate better internally. UK internal communication expert Liam FitzPatrick recently said in the PR Conversations blog to stop looking for the new or the quick fix and work harder on the basics to make an impact with employees: “Nothing clever; just basic skills like writing, planning, project managing and listening.” And the ability to act as an advisor.
He said internal communicators help organizations use communication to get results:
“Simple skills and experience should be used to do it—there is no book of runes, no silver bullet and no magic fairy dust….This doesn’t mean you can’t use initiatives involving technology; it just means you should ensure the initiative is going to be more effective if you use that technology,” said FitzPatrick.
“If corporations want motivated, focused and flexible staff, they need:
“The fundamental questions for internal communicators might be:
“Overall, we need to:
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